A new documentary from the American RadioWorks documentary unit explores the history and purpose of the General Educational Development diploma or GED. 39 million adults don’t have a high school diploma, but some researchers say passing the GED test won’t help you in college, the job market, or the military. The GED only tests cognitive skills, and those are not enough to make it in life. Hard-working people of good character find the lack of a GED is a barrier to many jobs they are well-equipped to handle.